40 Tournaments of Building a Legacy

Sent on Monday, October 06, 2014

Since its inception in 1976, the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide has produced great entertainment, compelling winners, memorable moments, and served the people of central Ohio well beyond the boundaries of Muirfield Village Golf Club through charitable giving and community initiatives. Founded by golfing legend and Columbus native Jack Nicklaus, the Memorial is celebrating its 40th playing in 2015.

When Nicklaus set out to create Muirfield Village Golf Club and the Memorial Tournament, he had in mind what many have called his second home—Augusta National Golf Club. During Masters Week in 1966, Nicklaus expressed his desire to create a tournament that, like the Masters, had a global interest, but was inspired by the history and traditions of the game of golf. A tournament that would embrace all that was special about this great game.

Additionally, it was Nicklaus’ desire to create a tournament that would remember and honor the great golfers of the past and those individuals who built the foundation to a game that today is played and enjoyed by millions around the world. He also wanted his tournament to "give back" in the form of charitable contributions to organizations benefiting needy adults and children throughout central Ohio and beyond.

Thus, the Memorial Tournament was born.

Nicklaus’ vision has come to fruition impressively. Today the Memorial is one of the top stops on the PGA TOUR. The best players in the world annually visit Dublin, Ohio and the Columbus region to compete at world-renowned Muirfield Village. In fact, through 2014, 17 of the 29 Memorial winners have won at least one major championship, and they have combined to win 67 major titles.

The list of Tournament honorees is steeped in the rich history and tradition of the game of golf, and charitable contributions have passed $23 million, with over $15 million going to Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

For the fans, the Memorial has become about spending time with family, friends and colleagues… about the autographs and the tradition of the magnetic scoreboards. At the Memorial there is always a chance to find a front row seat, enjoy the scenery or join the crowd. It’s about all the momentous occasions that have come to be synonymous with the world’s best golf at Muirfield Village Golf Club. And those momentous occasions are sure to be amplified in 2015 with the celebration of the 40th playing of the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide.